Cancer – What is It?
Cancer is an illness that occurs when cells in the body begin to grow and divide out of control. Cells are the basic building blocks of the tissues and organs in the body. The cells in the body change over time to produce new cells as old ones die and to repair damaged tissue. Sometimes the change (mutation) in a cell causes it to become abnormal and start to grow and divide out of control. Cancers can occur in any part of the body. Different types of cancers start in different places in the body and may grow and spread in different ways.
The genetic changes that cause cancer can be inherited or happen as the normal process of cell growth and division goes wrong. Most often the genetic changes are a slow build-up over a person’s lifetime. The cancer-causing genes may be damaged by exposure to certain chemicals, such as those found in tobacco smoke and some plastics and home products; or by radiation or infection with viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or herpes simplex virus.
Most cancers can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated early. However, some cancers cannot be cured, and the cancer can return. The chances of a cure depend on the type and stage of the cancer, how quickly it grows, whether it has spread and a person’s general health.
Some cancers are classified by how the cells look under a microscope. The classification is called grading. Cancers with lower grades grow and spread more slowly than those with higher gradings.
Cancer can also be described by where it starts in the body, for example in tissues or skin cells that line the lungs or intestines, or in stem cells in bone marrow that make blood cells. Some cancers spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system and can then form more tumors in other areas.
Some cancers can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as not smoking or drinking more than one alcoholic drink per day for women and two drinks for men. Maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough physical activity and protecting the skin from sun damage can also help reduce a person’s risk of cancer. Some cancers develop over decades, so people should be aware of their risk and talk to their doctors about regular screening examinations for some cancers. They should also discuss any unusual symptoms that they or their family members have.
Cancer is an illness that occurs when cells in the body begin to grow and divide out of control. Cells are the basic building blocks of the tissues and organs in the body. The cells in the body change over time to produce new cells as old ones die and to repair damaged tissue. Sometimes the change (mutation) in a cell causes it to become abnormal and start to grow and divide out of control. Cancers can occur in any part of the body. Different types of cancers start in different places in the body and may grow and spread in different ways. The genetic changes that cause cancer can be inherited or happen as the normal process of cell growth and division goes wrong. Most often the genetic changes are a slow build-up over a person’s lifetime. The cancer-causing genes may be damaged by exposure to certain chemicals, such as those found in tobacco smoke and some plastics and home products; or by radiation or infection with viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or herpes simplex virus. Most cancers can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated early. However, some cancers cannot be cured, and the cancer can return. The chances of a cure depend on the type and stage of the cancer, how quickly it grows, whether it has spread and a person’s general health. Some cancers are classified by how the cells look under a microscope. The classification is called grading. Cancers with lower grades grow and spread more slowly than those with higher gradings. Cancer can also be described by where it starts in the body, for example in tissues or skin cells that line the lungs or intestines, or in stem cells in bone marrow that make blood cells. Some cancers spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system and can then form more tumors in other areas. Some cancers can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as not smoking or drinking more than one alcoholic drink per day for women and two drinks for men. Maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough physical activity and protecting the skin from sun damage can also help reduce a person’s risk of cancer. Some cancers develop over decades, so people should be aware of their risk and talk to their doctors about regular screening examinations for some cancers. They should also discuss any unusual symptoms that they or their family members have.